DBS surgery a boon for Parkinsons' patients

Bengaluru: In 2009, when Hari Prasad, in his early 50s first felt increased tremors in his left hand and associated slowness in his movements on the left side, it was Parkinson's disease that was slowly creeping in. His passion to travel took a back seat. But six years on, he is back on road and travelling from Bengaluru to Bhutan and back for over a period of 41 days, covering 6000 km.

Though the onsite of Parkinson was seen in 2009, by 2011, the tremors had progressed to the right sided limbs with further worsening of body movements. "I could not work properly or sit for long meetings. It was difficult for me to drive. Even for day-today activities like shaving or dressing I required help," said Hari Prasad.

Dr Raghuram G, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spine surgeon, Columbia Asia Hospitals said Hari developed involuntary movement of his upper trunk and neck during the effect of the medication. "That is when we suggested DBS surgery and explained to Hari about the benefits it will bring in his condition,"said Dr Raghuram.

Hari underwent in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery in March, 2015 and since then, life changed for good. DBS is a procedure used to treat various neurological disorders in which medical device called a neurostimulator is implanted in brain to induce electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific parts of the brain.

Hari responded well to the surgery and the post DBS programming was initiated after a week. It took two weeks for the parameters to settle and he responded to the stimulation really well. His symptoms of Parkinson's diseases including tremors, slowness and stiffness stopped and his gait improved significantly," said Dr Guruprasad Hosurkar, consultant neurology, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Earlier people used to visit a pharmacy or a medical store only when they used to be sick but today there is an evolving trend. Now people have suddenly realized that there is a huge potential in being healthy.